Peer-assisted study sessions

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a free, optional, peer-facilitated learning program available to students enrolled in most core units of study in the University of Sydney Business School, and selected undergraduate and Juris Doctor units in the University of Sydney Law School.

What's involved

PASS involves weekly hour-long sessions where you work in groups of 10 to 16 students to answer specially prepared activities and problem questions, based around a unit of study you’re enrolled in.

PASS doesn’t re-teach or deliver new content. It’s an opportunity to reinforce key points from lecture and tutorial materials while applying your skills to solve problem questions. The atmosphere of the sessions is relaxed, friendly and low-pressure and you’re encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns with content.

Sessions are led by trained PASS facilitators, who recently excelled in the same unit of study. The facilitator doesn’t re-teach lecture material, but rather guides group interaction and problem solving.

You work interactively with your peers, benefiting not only from group learning but also from the recent experience of your facilitator. As a peer group, generally you decide what is covered in each session. That way, PASS directly responds to your needs and feedback.

When PASS sessions begin

Additional sessions may be opened up in the following weeks to deal with unexpected student demand.

Benefits of PASS

Statistics from previous years have shown that students who attend PASS regularly generally achieve higher grades in their PASS units than those who don't attend. They are also less likely to fail the unit.

Attending PASS regularly can also help improve your:

academic performance. If you attend more than 10 sessions in a semester, you’re more likely to achieve a final grade in your PASS units of study approximately 8-20 marks higher than students who don’t attend PASS.

ability to study effectively. Studying and collaborating with high-achieving peers and setting your own agenda are highly effective study techniques.

transition to university studies and understanding of course expectations. By getting to know students across different years of your course, you can learn first hand about the University’s culture and expectations for learning.

communication, team work, critical thinking and discipline-specific language skills. Studying with peers and regularly working in positive and productive team environments will help you develop a range of graduate attributes.

experience of academic support. If you’re reluctant to ask your lecturer questions, PASS facilitators are an approachable alternative and many will have experienced the same problems you’re having. You can discuss these problems in a confidential and informal context. Regular feedback in a supportive, student-centred environment will also help you learn more effectively.

You don’t have to be ‘struggling’ to attend. PASS is for all students who want to improve their academic performance.

PASS in Law

Law is an ideal discipline for a strongly student-driven support program. In Law you’ll address dense and complicated material that requires extensive and careful reading. PASS offers a great opportunity to concentrate on the areas you’re most concerned about in a supportive student-centred learning environment.

Law’s focus on problem solving and appreciating the value of different approaches mean that peer collaboration is important in the learning process. PASS in Law facilitates collaboration over problem questions and encourages greater engagement.

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